An infrared (IR) detector is a detector which acts in response to infrared radiation. It is a transducer that transforms radiant energy in the infrared into a measurable form. The two primary types of IR detectors are photodetectors and thermal detectors. IR detectors are attaining substantial market penetration; and newer technologies in this market are emerging every day. IR detectors are increasingly becoming prime component of consumer electronics devices such as smart TV, smartphone and others.

High demand for security at commercial environments such as airports, offices, hotels and hospitals is expected to boost IR detector market growth. Rising demand from consumer electronics applications such as smart TVs, tablets and smartphone is also expected to drive the sales of IR detectors in the near future. Moreover, factors such as lower price of IR detectors in forthcoming years and use of night vision ability in military applications are supporting the growth of IR detectors market.

Additionally, development of IR detectors in terms of size, weight and power and emergence of large consumer electronics applications are acting in the favor of IR detector market growth. However, government regulations and high cost of technologies such as mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) and Indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) continue to be prime challenge for the growth of IR detectors market. The U.S. and Japan are the leading regions for IR detectors market owing to the presence of the largest manufacturers of IR detectors in these regions.

LWIR detector market is the prominent market and growing at highest rate, primarily, due to its wide application range and low price. Thermopyle, microbolometers and pyroelectric technologies are popular within LWIR spectral range. InGaAs and MCT are costly technologies, and are very popular in military applications. By way of development of new products and progression of IR technologies, InGaAs and MCT are applicable for a broader range of products namely spectroscopy and bio-medical imaging. Prominent players in the market include Excelitas Technologies Corp., Hamamatsu Photonics KK, FlIR Systems Inc., Melexis NV, Omron Corporation, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Raytheon Co., ULIS, Texas Instruments Inc. and Vigo System S.A. among others.